17 Brianna

"Yeah, well, I should be the last person who should react to him," I sighed. 

She nodded with a frown. "What a pity." 

I should not be pitied. I was quite okay with being single. "It's okay. At least, I have his arrogant charm to ward me off."

We both chuckled. 

"So true. I'm glad there's a light in the tunnel." 

"Hmmm. There's always light when you keep your flashlight in handy." I showed her a smile. 

She stepped down on the stair I sat on. "I guess, I have to start walking with mine." 

"You bet you." 

Her lips were tilted at the edges, exposing straight white teeth, while she held out a manicured hand. "Hi, my name's Ashley. I'd like to be one of your Advisors." 

Advisor? Oh, gosh!

My smile dropped and I jumped to my feet. Ashley staggered two steps back. Her smile was replaced by a questioning look. 

Summer was going to have one of her annoying fits. Ugh, I could imagine my ears bleeding from all the blathering she had in store for me. 

"I'm sorry. I just remember I have a candidate awaiting my arrival." And, here I was, hiding from a male. 

Useless. 

I took a step up, but stopped and turned to Ashley. "So, Ashley, why does everyone think it's important for me to have an Advisor and not a friend?" 

Her cheeks grew a rosy color while the smile returned. "Sorry, I know it can be a little overwhelming." 

I arched an eyebrow. "A little?" 

We ascended the stairs, pushed the door at the top open, and ventured outside. 

Her snicker alerted my eardrums. "Okay, maybe a lot. But, it's all for a good cause." 

Right. "It sucks." 

Her snicker grew louder. "Don't worry, it's for another few months then you're free." 

How I wished it was simple. 

We passed a small group of wolves and surprisingly they greeted her by name. 

Wolves had a distinctive scent. Somewhere along the line, my nose must have been clogged because she had the scent of a vampire.  

Darn, that alpha! 

"Sometimes I'm even more terrified of the real world." 

"Yeah," I agreed. "So much is expected of me and I can't fail." I won't fail. 

"I can't begin to imagine all the pressure you're under. I know your parents are leaders, so you must have a lot on your plate, but I can tell you one thing." 

We traveled along the corridor; our silhouette clicked on tiles. Clip for a clip. Thud for a thud. 

"What's that?"

"I sense your strength. I can tell you're a strong person. Once you're strong and self-driven, you can overcome anything."

I could not help the smile which broke out on my lips. I doubt she knew the simple statement could move mountains. With just that, she won my heart. Whether she said it because she wanted a position as my right-hand man or not, it did the trick. I wanted an Advisor who was quick on her feet, yet knew how to simmer my moods. A characteristic which Ashley had. 

We turned a corner several feet to the cafeteria. Another small group emerged from the canteen, chattering among themselves, food trays in hands. Like the first group, these students also greeted Ashley. I knew for a fact these students weren't wolves. Their thinner body built and creamy skin color categorized them as vampires. So, why had they greeted her? What was going on here? 

I never even bothered to hide my confusion. "You're quite the celebrity. What are you?" 

She uses her palm to drown out her chuckle. "I'm a vam-wolf." 

Hmmm, a hybrid. It explained why both species accepted her. She was a little of both. 

Her eyes wandered the area. Her cheeks grew redder as she did this. "I guess, I'm a little too friendly. My dad said it's my strength and weakness." 

Parents. They thought they knew everything. 

Now it was my turn to say, "Don't worry." A reassuring smile aimed at her. "Caroline was friendly and she was one of the greatest hybrids ever lived." 

Her smile brightened, but for a second before it transformed into a frown. "Look what it got her. She was cursed by her best friend." 

Oh, right.

Maybe I was not as good as her at this lifting of spirits thing. Ugh, I needed more practice. "Well, she's dead. She doesn't have a say. It's good to be friendly, full stop. There doesn't have to be a conjunction after it." 

Her girlish giggle traveled down my ear canals. "Thanks. It means a lot." 

In the short time spent with this girl, I had felt more relaxed than I did with Summer or any of the other girls I had spent time with. Ashley had one of those personalities a person had to like. No wonder both vampires and wolves took a liking to her.

Which was why I said, "I like you, Ashley. I'll have to ask Summer to include you in the line-up." 

Her head bobbed. Orange eyes twinkled with happiness. "Thanks." 

"No problem. You earned it." 

This was one of the reasons why being in the Elite was not all a pain. I could get the chance to help people like myself. The feeling I got when Ashley smiled was enough to conjure happiness of my own. Happy, I was able to give her some kind of comfort and satisfaction. 

It was a pity I could only select one Advisor. All the girls I hung out with had great potential and characteristics which made great Advisors. 

A long breath left my lips. 

I hoped this was easier. 

The depressing thought was pushed from my mind when we neared the cafeteria door. I needed to be level-headed when I sat in front of the candidate. My future relied on the decision I made regarding this Advisor stuff. I had to pick right. I had to show them I could select the best. I could be the best.